Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved Rs 24.91 crore for the construction of a new bridge over the Gangua canal alongside a 2-km approach road.
The infrastructure project aims to establish seamless, direct connectivity to the historic 14th-century Kapileshwar Mahadev temple in Ekamra heritage area of Bhubaneswar.
Announcing the approval, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and the state government. “The approval has come on the last Monday of the holy month of Shravan, fulfilling a long-standing demand of temple servitors and residents of the Ekamra Bhubaneswar area,” she said.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide direct access to the ancient Shaivite shrine for devotees and tourists, she added.
The parliamentarian had submitted the formal proposal after extensive consultations with local residents and temple priests. Aparajita, accompanied by local MLA Babu Singh, conducted field visits to Kapileshwar temple on December 24, 2024, and again on July 15, 2026, during which community members highlighted the urgent need for a direct approach route and a bridge across the canal.
The state Works Department is expected to commence ground construction work at the earliest to streamline access to the shrine.
In a parallel move, efforts are being made for the overall development, preservation, maintenance, renovation, and aesthetic enhancement of the ancient complex. The overall responsibility for the maintenance and conservation of the centuries-old monument was recently transferred to the Archaeological Survey of India, which has initiated phase-wise restoration works inside the temple premises.
